RESTREPO

Another story on the war in Afghanistan from the perspective of the invading US Forces. It’s a familiar and almost the only point of view from which the world has witnessed the controversial and confusing conflict. Restrepo, however, was created by two film makers, one of whom was the 2007 World Press Photo Award winner Tim Hetherington whom I met briefly that year in Amsterdam. He was a true gentleman – humble and friendly – and so I was compelled to see his take on a US battalion deep in the wilds of Afghanistan where he spent a year filming and shooting stills – one of which won him The World Press photo Award.

Tragically, last week, while covering the continuing conflict in Libya, Hetherington was killed by a rocket propelled grenade in the city of Misrata along with his colleague Chris Hondros. Two other photographers were also wounded. Restrepo is one of the many legacies he leaves behind.